Botswana Power utility invites bids for 100MW solar plant

Botswana’s state-owned power utility has invited bids to build a 100MW plant in the country.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) is specifically to invite a party to establish a joint venture with Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) for the project, with a view to combating the country’s power supply deficit. Cooperation proposals must be submitted by 14 June.

The utility-scale project is expected to be completed two years from appointment of the IPP joint venture partner.

The solar plant is much needed in the country, as current peak demand currently stands at around 600MW, according to a BPC document; with the supply gap being met through imports mainly from South Africa and the Mozambique.

In a bid for more energy independence and security, the 100MW solar plant should help the electricity demand in Botswana to more than double to 1,523MW by 2035. This initiative is in line with the country’s National Energy Policy goal of providing affordable, reliable and adequate supply of energy for sustainable development, as well as improving access to and efficient use of energy resources.

If successfully built, the 100MW solar plant will be the country’s first large-scale PV project.